Laying vs. Lying

Have you ever found yourself second-guessing whether to use “laying” or “lying” in a sentence? You’re not alone. These two words often cause confusion, even among seasoned writers, due to their similar meanings and overlapping usage. While both relate to positioning or resting, their grammatical roles and conjugations set them apart in subtle but important ways. In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery behind “laying” versus “lying,” exploring their definitions, key differences, and simple tricks to ensure you never mix them up again. Whether you’re crafting a story or just settling down with a good book, understanding these terms will bring clarity to your language—and maybe even impress a few grammar enthusiasts along the way.

Laying vs. Lying

The distinction between “laying” and “lying” often trips people up (causes them to make a mistake) because both words relate to positioning oneself or something else, but they are used differently:

• Lying refers to reclining or resting in a horizontal position. It does not take a direct object. Here’s how it’s used:
  • Present: “I am lying on the bed.”
  • Past: “I was lying on the bed yesterday.”
  • Past participle: “I have been lying on the bed for an hour.”
• Laying involves placing or setting something down, and it requires a direct object. Here’s how it’s used:
  • Present: “I am laying the book on the table.”
  • Past: “I laid the book on the table yesterday.”
  • Past participle: “I have laid the book on the table.”

To help remember

• If you’re talking about yourself or someone else reclining or resting, you use “lie” (lie, lay, lain, lying).
• If you’re talking about placing something down, you use “lay” (lay, laid, laid, laying).

Here are some mnemonic devices

• Think of “lie” as similar to “recline”; both involve resting without an object.
• “Lay” something down, like laying a brick or laying a blanket.

Remember, “lay” needs an object, but “lie” does not.